Many of us like to think of ourselves as intrepid all-weather riders. I remember with pride all the torrential downpours I commuted in, the 42°C days I went on joy rides, and the 2°C days I shivered through Beach Road rides. But do you know what’s nicer than that? Being able to go for a ride where you get to stay dry and at a comfortable temperature. It’s those days that the Zwift Ride is designed for.
I’ve now spent almost a year with the Zwift Ride, and as the parent of a relatively fresh child, it’s meant that I’ve been able to keep my fitness up(ish) and stay riding even when I can’t go outside.
What makes the Zwift Ride special is that it’s more than just an exercise bike. It promises the closest experience you can get to riding outdoors without the weather. Plus, it allows you to play Zwift games not possible just by putting your regular bike on the trainer. As someone who despises taking my wheel on and off, the Zwift Ride gives me the best of all worlds. At $2,300 for the whole package, though, it is a bit of a commitment.
First impressions
This thing is easy to set up. The package I got came with the Kickr Core I reviewed last year, a one-year subscription to Zwift, and the Zwift Ride. However, I don’t think the standard bundle includes the subscription anymore.
All I needed to do was fold out the Kickr Core, put the handlebars on the Ride, put the chain over the cog at the back, and attach the Core using the through axle. Once I synced the bike’s controls with my iPad, I was ready to load up Zwift and ride.
It’s a much sturdier experience than it looks. I was originally concerned that the thin post at the front would jiggle a bit if I got too into a ride. It does move around somewhat, but it still feels pretty secure.
Zwift Ride specifications and price
| Size | 136cm (L) x 58cm (W) 35.4kg |
| Rider fit range | 158 – 198cm |
| Saddle Height Min-Max | 59.9 – 86.5cm (centre bottom bracket to top of saddle) |
| Stepover height | 76.4cm |
| Max rider weight | 120kg |
| Crank length | 170mm |
| Integrated rechargeable controllers | 20 hours per charge |
| Handlebar controller power | Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery (1050 mAh) |
| Handlebar controller power requirements | USB-A, 5v, 1A |
| Compatibility | Zwift Cog v1 & Zwift Cog v2 Updated Zwift Cog v2 with no Freehub included with purchase |
| Price (including Kickr Core One) | $2,299 |
| Warranty | One year |
| Official website | Wahoo Fitness Australia |
The main thing that sets this apart from an ordinary trainer is the controls. In addition to getting resistance equivalent to a 16% grade mountain, you can shift gears to get a more accurate ride simulation, and you can steer to get a more Mario Kart-style ride simulation. Truly, something for everyone.
The 20 hours of battery before having to recharge the shifters is pretty good. There are decent cable tidying options, so you could just plug it in all the time if charging it every couple of weeks gets too bothersome.
Flat pedals are included, but it was easy to switch to my preferred mountain bike clipless pedals.
Ride feel and size
The feel of the Zwift Ride is so much closer to actually riding outside than any traditional exercise bike I’ve ever used. It’s designed to feel like a road bike, and so the placement of everything feels as you would expect (though you can customise the geometry to be more like an endurance or gravel bike). The shifters and brake levers are placed more naturally than on an exercise bike, and it generally just feels like a bike.
Being able to make it fit just about anyone is where it differs from a regular bike. The handlebars’ height and positioning can be customised more like an exercise bike, and the seat has a wide range of heights, too. I’ve found it quick and easy to change from my ideal settings (175cm-tall person) to my wife’s (157cm), so I don’t feel like I’m reaching or cramped. This makes it well-suited to a household full of avid cyclists because there’s something for everyone.
Controls
The controls are what set the Zwift Ride apart from any other sim cycling setup that I’ve seen. There’s essentially a D-Pad and four letter buttons that let you play games. Interestingly, though, Repack Rush (Zwift’s legally distinct version of Mario Kart, which has boosts, debuffs and the ability to collect clocks to reuse your time) uses the brake levers for turning.
Using the brake levers to turn left and right kinda sucks because it makes my hand seize up. I can see how it was thought to be a good idea, so you could have your hands in a more natural position, but using the D-Pad would be more ergonomic for my hands. I can’t play more than five minutes using the brake levers without it getting very uncomfortable, which says a lot about my grip strength.
Onto the more traditional bike elements, the shifters are set up similar to a Shimano, but the default controls of left goes down, right goes up, match more to SRAM’s system. This means it’s just different enough to lightly confuse everyone for the first five minutes, before it goes back to feeling normal and natural.
Zwift integration
Here is why you get the bike. If you’re an avid Zwifter or really want to get into cycling sims, then this bike is obviously designed exactly for that. I’ve already reviewed the Kickr Core smart trainer, and having both the Kickr Core and the Zwift Ride bundled together means it’s an easy out-of-the-box setup to just get riding.
Once it’s all paired to your device of choice (I’ve been using an iPad), it all just connects when you turn on the bike and open the app, making it faster to jump into a workout. The Zwift Ride is the most compatible way I’ve found to use all the Zwift features, including Repack Rush.
While you can use the Ride for other platforms (and Zwift on Apple TV), you need to sync it with the Zwift Companion app first, so the Bluetooth connects nicely. It won’t pair as well with the other platforms, of course, but it’s still better than nothing. It’s a good compromise if you only want to subscribe to Zwift during the very hot or cold months, and then use a cheaper platform for more occasional training during outdoor riding seasons.
Who is the Zwift Ride with Kickr Core for?
The Zwift Ride and Kickr Core combo is an indoor trainer for cyclists who are serious about their training, but don’t want to have to keep taking their wheel on and off all the time. Given how easy it is to adjust, it’s also for households with multiple cyclists who want to use the same indoor trainer.
It’s quick to set up, easy to use, and doesn’t take up as much room as, say, a Peloton Bike or exercise bike of a similar level, and that’s great for a lot of people for whom this fits into their budget.
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